Objective and Purpose of the Assignment
 | Background of the Facility The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is supporting the Government of Bangladesh to operationalize the River Restoration Facility (3RF) through the Small Expenditure Financing Facility (SEFF) modality. The proposed project (Facility) is being prepared to systematically support the preparation of priority pipeline projects and to establish a coordination mechanism for strengthening river system management through a holistic, integrated, and programmatic approach to river corridor development. The Facility is designed to address Bangladesh’s complex water resource management challenges, with a particular focus on river restoration and river corridor development. The Facility’s envisaged outcome is resilient river system management enabled through a holistic, integrated, and systematic framework (hereinafter referred to as “programmatic approach”). Implementation of the programmatic approach will be initiated in selected areas of the North Central hydrological region, covering the Jamuna River corridor and its distributaries extending toward the Dhaka area. The Facility aims to (i) strengthen the enabling environment for cross sector coordination in river system management, supported by high level engagement; (ii) support preparation of pipeline projects and knowledge services to enhance institutional capacity and programmatic solutions for river corridor development; and (iii) improve the functionality and sustainability of river infrastructure, including through rehabilitation and operation and maintenance of key water infrastructure. The Facility will build on the coordination mechanism developed under the Umbrella Investment Program for Dhaka river system restoration and expand its application to a broader geographic scope. It will coordinate closely with the government and development partners to build synergies among ongoing and planned investments. Through this approach, the Facility is expected to support strategic investment planning and contribute to longer term impacts on project preparation and coordination in the water sector. The Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), under the Ministry of Water Resources, will be the executing agency of the Facility, with the River Management Division of BWDB serving as the key implementing agency. The Facility is expected to be considered by the ADB Board in 2026, with effectiveness targeted in the same year. Objective and Purpose of the Assignment The objective of the assignment is to support the preparation of the proposed River Restoration Facility and its associated loan documents under the Small Expenditure Financing Facility (SEFF). To achieve this objective, ADB will engage technical and due diligence consultants to support Facility preparation, coordination, and investment readiness. The Water Resources Management Specialist will support the Senior Water Resources Management Specialist by providing technical inputs and analytical support in relation to water resources management, river restoration, and river corridor development, contributing to (i) Facility design and due diligence, (ii) implementation of coordination mechanisms to support a programmatic approach to river system management, and (iii) advanced project readiness actions to support implementation of the Facility. The consultant will contribute to the preparation of loan documents and support ADB missions to Bangladesh, including preparatory, fact finding, and follow up missions, primarily before and during the fact-finding mission tentatively scheduled from June 2026 onwards. The consultant will work under the guidance of the Team Leader and in close coordination with the ADB Mission Leader and project team, and will complement and synergize with ongoing ADB financed initiatives, including the BAN: Adaptive River System Management Project (ARSMP) and other pipeline projects. The consultant is expected to familiarize themselves with the SEFF modality, which differs from standard project modalities, as part of the Facility preparation process. The assignment is expected to commence in April 2026. |
Scope of Work
| The consultant will support the ADB project team in preparing the proposed Facility for Board consideration and investment readiness under the SEFF modality. The consultant will provide technical inputs, analytical support, and coordination assistance in close collaboration with the Senior Water Resources Management Specialist, the ADB Mission Leader, and the project team. Key tasks will include the following: (i) Provide technical inputs and analytical support to the preparation of the draft Report and Recommendation of the President (RRP), its appendices, and associated loan documents, in line with ADB templates and requirements, including contributing relevant data, practices, lessons learned, and background information, and supporting responses to interdepartmental review comments. (ii) Support project due diligence to ensure that the proposed Facility is fit for purpose under the SEFF modality. (iii) Support coordination with executing and implementing agencies to facilitate Facility readiness, including preparation and review of relevant government documents, such as the Development Project Proposal (DPP). (iv) Collect, synthesize, and validate country level and Facility specific data and information to support project documentation and design, ensuring credibility, accuracy, and relevance of all data sources. (v) Participate in meetings and consultations to gather input, monitor progress, and support identification of issues and constraints affecting Facility preparation. The consultant will be engaged on an intermittent basis from approximately 1 April 2026 to 31 December 2026. The consultant will work as part of the ADB project team while independently undertaking assigned tasks under the guidance of the Senior Water Resources Management Specialist to ensure timely delivery of outputs. Physical travel outside Dhaka may be required. The consultant will collaborate closely with the Senior Water Resources Management Specialist, the ADB Mission Leader, and relevant team members, primarily through virtual platforms (e.g. MS Teams, Zoom, WhatsApp). |
Detailed Tasks and/or Expected Output
| The Specialist will perform and deliver, but not be limited to, the following tasks and outputs: 1. Provide technical and coordination support in preparing draft outlines of: (a) key elements for a cross sector coordination mechanism and framework for river system management; and (b) a strategic roadmap for implementing a programmatic approach in ensuing projects. 2. Collect and analyze baseline information on the Jamuna–Dhaka river system to inform the SEFF project design, in close coordination with the Senior Water Resources Management Specialist. 3. Review feasibility studies and relevant BWDB technical reports on river dynamics, including but not limited to: water transport and connectivity, sedimentation, river flow augmentation, riverbed conditions, water quality, inland water navigation, and flood risk management (including existing forecasting and early warning systems), covering the Jamuna River–Dhaka reach and the North Central Hydrological Region; and prepare a summary note highlighting key issues, gaps, and proposed solutions relevant to a programmatic approach. 4. Review BWDB inventories and prepare a comprehensive summary list of existing facilities requiring urgent repair under the SEFF, including proposed solutions and options for innovative, low cost river management technologies applicable to small and mid scale rivers. 5. Support the Senior Water Resources Management Specialist in assessing needs and defining priorities for: (a) technical and knowledge resources; and (b) innovative solutions. This includes preparing a concrete list of sub outputs with outline designs to be delivered under the Facility, such as: (i) a digital platform; (ii) design and training manuals; and (iii) innovative management technologies and pilot interventions (e.g. bamboo bandalling and nature-based solutions). 6. Support analysis of erosion prone zones and sediment dynamics, and assist in preparing proposals for a sediment focused monitoring and early warning system to be installed under the Facility. 7. Compile and synthesize information from BWDB inventories on water infrastructure requiring urgent repair and operation and maintenance (O&M) under the SEFF, including identification of specific locations and potential environmental risks associated with proposed repair activities. 8. Support the Senior Water Resources Management Specialist and ADB missions by coordinating with consultants and experts to prepare required technical inputs and documentation to support financing, procurement readiness, and project preparation under the SEFF. 9. Provide technical inputs to address comments and recommendations received during the ADB review process. 10. Play a key liaison role with the BWDB project team, management, and the Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR) to facilitate the preparation and submission of the Development Project Proposal (DPP) for the Facility. 11. Perform other tasks, as may be reasonably requested from time to time by the ADB Team Leaders, consistent with the scope of the assignment. |
Minimum Qualification Requirements
| (i) A Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, water resources engineering, agricultural engineering, or a closely related discipline from a recognized institution. A Master’s degree in a relevant field is preferred. (ii) At least 15 years of relevant professional experience in water resources management, with substantial experience in flood management, riverbank erosion control, and river engineering in Bangladesh, particularly in relation to the Jamuna River system, the Brahmaputra River, their distributaries, and the rivers surrounding Dhaka. (iii) A minimum of 10 years of experience on ADB- or World Bank-financed projects, including large-scale infrastructure projects related to flood management, river engineering, riverbank erosion control, or agricultural development in large river basins. (iv) In-depth institutional knowledge of water-related public sector agencies in Bangladesh, including BWDB, MoWR, and relevant government procedures and processes. (v) Experience in river corridor development, agricultural development within river basins, and nature- based solutions will be considered an advantage. (vi) Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, with proven ability to prepare high- quality technical and analytical outputs. (vii) Strong interpersonal and team coordination skills, with demonstrated experience working effectively with government counterparts, development partners, and multidisciplinary consultant teams. (viii) Proven ability to work independently and responsively, manage multiple tasks, and deliver outputs in a timely manner. |
